SICKNESS, SIN, AND GLORY OF GOD
The relationship between sickness, sin, and God’s glory is a complex and nuanced topic in theology. While ancient beliefs often linked illness directly to sin, Jesus Christ’s teachings and actions provide a more profound understanding of this connection.
Jesus’ Teachings on Sickness and Sin
In the Gospel of John, we encounter two significant instances that shed light on this subject. When Jesus healed the man at the pool of Bethesda, He said, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you” (Jn 5:14). This statement suggests a potential link between sin and physical ailments, but it’s important to note that Jesus does not attribute the man’s initial condition to sin.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church acknowledges the complex relationship between sin and suffering: “Illness and suffering have always been among the gravest problems confronted in human life. In illness, man experiences his powerlessness, his limitations, and his finitude” (CCC 1500). While sin can lead to suffering, not all suffering is a direct result of personal sin.
This nuanced understanding is further illustrated in the account of the man born blind. When the disciples asked Jesus about the cause of the man’s blindness, assuming it was due to sin, Jesus responded, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him” (Jn 9:3). This response challenges the simplistic view that all suffering is a punishment for sin and introduces the concept of illness as an opportunity for God’s glory to be revealed.
Similarly, in the case of Lazarus, Jesus declares, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it” (Jn 11:4). These instances demonstrate that while sin can have consequences, God can use even difficult circumstances to manifest His glory and power.
The Redemptive Value of Suffering
The Catholic Church teaches that suffering, including illness, can have redemptive value when united with Christ’s suffering. Pope Saint John Paul II, in his apostolic letter ‘Salvifici Doloris’, writes, “In bringing about the Redemption through suffering, Christ has also raised human suffering to the level of the Redemption. Thus each man, in his suffering, can also become a sharer in the redemptive suffering of Christ” (SD 19).
As Christians, we are called to approach sickness and suffering with compassion, following Christ’s example. We should avoid hasty judgments about the causes of others’ afflictions and instead focus on offering support, prayer, and care. The Catechism reminds us, “Moved by so much suffering Christ not only allows himself to be touched by the sick, but he makes their miseries his own: ‘He took our infirmities and bore our diseases'” (CCC 1505).
REFLECTION
As Christians, we are called to see illness not merely as a consequence of sin but as an opportunity to witness God’s glory. We should respond to sickness with compassion, empathy, and support, reflecting Christ’s love. In our suffering and that of others, we can find a deeper connection to Christ’s own suffering and redemption. Let us strive to be instruments of God’s healing love, offering support to those who are ill and trusting in His divine plan for our lives. In doing so, we bear witness to the profound truth that God can bring glory out of our deepest trials, drawing us closer to Him and revealing His mighty works through our faith and compassion.